Nokea
A client is admitted with weakness, expressive aphasia, and right hemianopia. The brain MRI reveals an infarct. The nurse understands these symptoms to be suggestive of which finding?
- A. Transient ischemic attack (TIA)
- B. Left-sided cerebrovascular accident (CVA)
- C. Right-sided cerebrovascular accident (CVA)
- D. Completed Stroke
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: When the infarct is on the left side of the brain, the symptoms are likely to be on the right, and the speech is more likely to be involved. If the MRI reveals an infarct, TIA is no longer the diagnosis. There is not enough information to determine if the stroke is still evolving or is complete.
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A client has experienced a transient ischemic attack (TIA) and presents with carotid bruits. Which is the priority action to be taken by the nurse, following a bilateral carotid endarterectomy?
- A. Encourage deep breathing and coughing.
- B. Observe for facial swelling.
- C. Anticipate need for endotracheal intubation.
- D. Resume antilipemic drugs.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Surgical approach to the neck area can result in swelling and blockage of the airway. This is especially significant with bilateral carotid endarterectomy. The nurse must be observant and prepared for immediate intubation if the airway becomes obstructed. Encouraging deep breathing and coughing is not significant because general anesthesia is not routine. Resuming drugs for hyperlipidemia is not a priority in the acute postoperative period.
A client is prescribed sumatriptan for the treatment of migraine headache. Which client statement would indicate a need for additional teaching from the nurse?
- A. I use this to prevent migraines.
- B. I take this when I get a headache.
- C. It constricts the blood vessels in my head.
- D. It alleviates my sensitivity to light and sound.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Sumatriptan is a serotonin receptor agonist that stimulates serotonin receptors in the brain and causes vasoconstriction of the cerebral arteries and reduce/eliminate headaches and other symptoms associated with migraines. Sumatriptan is used during an attack and is not indicated for preventative migraine therapy.
A client diagnosed with migraine headaches asks the nurse what to do to help control the headaches and minimize the number of attacks. What instructions should the nurse give this client?
- A. Identify and avoid factors that precipitate or intensify an attack.
- B. Keep a record of activities following an attack.
- C. When an attack occurs, stay in a brightly lit area.
- D. Write down any adverse drug effects.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The nurse includes the following instructions: Follow the indications and dosage regimen for medication and notify the physician of any adverse drug effects. Identify and avoid factors that precipitate or intensify an attack. Keep a food diary, which may help identify foods that trigger attacks. Keep a record of the attacks, including activities before the attack and environmental or emotional circumstances that appear to bring on the attack. Lie down in a darkened room and avoid noise and movement when an attack occurs whenever possible.
A client with a history of atrial fibrillation has experienced a TIA. What does the nurse expect will be the priority preventative medical treatment(s) to reduce the risk of a cerebrovascular accident (CVA)? Select all that apply.
- A. Cholesterol-lowering drugs
- B. Anticoagulant therapy
- C. Monthly prothrombin levels
- D. Carotid endarterectomy
- E. Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty
Correct Answer: A,B
Rationale: To manage atherosclerosis and the consequences of cardiac arrhythmias, especially atrial fibrillation, cholesterol-lowering drugs and prophylactic anticoagulant or antiplatelet therapy are prescribed. Prothrombin and international normalized ratio (INR) levels may be prescribed to monitor therapeutic effects of anticoagulant therapy. Carotid endarterectomy would be anticipated only when the carotids have narrowing from plaque. Similarly, a percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (also called a balloon angioplasty) accompanied by placement of a stent is performed to dilate the carotid artery and increase blood flow to the brain.
A client has been found unresponsive at home for an undetermined period of time. A cerebrovascular accident (CVA)Ib> suspected, and the family is demanding a clot buster be used to restore functioning. The nurse knows that successful use of tissue plasminogen activator (TPA) in a client with CVA requires which factor(s) to be true? Select all that apply.
- A. Symptoms no longer evolving
- B. Presence of an ischemic stroke
- C. Used concurrently with heparin therapy
- D. Administered intramuscularly for faster response
- E. Administered within 3 hours of onset of symptoms
- F. Administered for hemorrhagic strokes
Correct Answer: B,E
Rationale: TPA is a thrombolytic agent that can limit neurologic deficits if given IV within 3 hours of onset of an ischemic CVA. Waiting for symptoms to stabilize (no longer evolving) may take days and would not be appropriate for the use of TPA. TPA is not used in conjunction with other anticoagulants and would never be used to treat a hemorrhagic stroke (promotes more bleeding).